Geezer Butlerhttp://www.guitarworld.com/taxonomy/term/1789/all
enBlack Sabbath's Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi on Fighting with Skinheads, "War Pigs" Inspiration and Morehttp://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbaths-geezer-butler-and-tony-iommi-fighting-skinheads-and-war-pigs-inspiration
<!--paging_filter--><p><em>This is an excerpt from the all-new March 2015 issue of <em>Guitar World</em>, which features an interview with Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. For the rest of this interview, plus our guide to the 30 greatest classic Black Sabbath songs, plus gear views, tabs, lessons and more, <a href="http://guitarworld.myshopify.com/collections/guitar-world/products/guitar-world-march-15-black-sabbath?&amp;utm_source=gw_homepage&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=SabbathExcerpt">check out the March 2015 issue of GW at the Guitar World Online Store.</a></em></p>
<p>It’s rare that a band emerges and, with one inspired release, simultaneously launches and perfects a genre of music. </p>
<p>Such is the singular case of Black Sabbath. Their 1970 self-titled debut, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, took the heavy blues and hard-rock idioms that came before and infused them with anthemic tritone riffs, doom-laden drum tempos, maniacal vocals and diabolical lyrics. </p>
<p>Black Sabbath’s pioneering sound would later be christened heavy metal, and in many people’s minds that album still reigns supreme as the best representation of the genre. Many influential bands in their own right have come along and made contributions to heavy music, but all of them—from Judas Priest and Van Halen to Metallica and Soundgarden—hail the supremacy of Black Sabbath. </p>
<p>Below, enjoy an excerpt from <em>Guitar World</em>'s new interview with Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. Interestingly enough, Butler—who was arrested in California this past Tuesday for assault and vandalism—discussed fighting, including a brawl with skinheads that took place several decades ago.</p>
<p><strong>GUITAR WORLD: Geezer, you’ve mentioned before that “Fairies Wear Boots,” [from 1970’s <em>Paranoid</em>] was inspired by a confrontation you guys had with skinheads. Being a longhair yourself, did you run into a lot of problems in England back then?</strong></p>
<p><strong>GEEZER BUTLER</strong> There used to be fighting all the time. I used to be a football [soccer] fan—well, I still am—and I’d go down to watch the [Aston] Villa [Football Club]. I had long hair at the time. </p>
<p>Then this one day, the skinheads, or hooligans, turned on the people with long hair, even though we were fans too. So after that I couldn’t go down there. This other time we did this gig in the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare [in North Somerset, England], and we had a fight with all these skinheads. I think that’s where the lyrics for “Fairies Wear Boots” came from.</p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="365" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u3g0NhJ7__k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Do you remember what kicked off the fight?</strong></p>
<p><strong>BUTLER</strong> We didn’t get paid! [laughs] I was the one that used to go collect the check. We’d had this problem where we’d go collect our money and the guy would go, “Oh no, we sent the check in the post [mail].” We were promised that we’d get the money on the night, so I went to the promoter to get it. And he said, “Oh, I already sent it to your manager.” </p>
<p>I went outside to the telephone to make a call to the manager and I got surrounded by all these bloody skinheads, going, “Kill him! Kill him!” So I had to time it right so I could throw the phone at them and leg it back into the gig. [laughs] I told Tony, and of course he said, “Come on, let’s go.” And he grabs a microphone stand and we went out for a battle with them. Fucking nuts.</p>
<p><strong>Parental groups and decency nags always bemoan the satanic and occult allusions in Black Sabbath lyrics. But Geezer, you were also writing about current social issues, too, on the track “War Pigs.” Were you following the Vietnam War, Civil Rights movement and political unrest going on at the time in the United States?</strong></p>
<p>It was actually being covered more [in the press] in England than in America. They had this program on in England, and it showed all the stuff that wasn’t being told to the American people. Stuff like how the president [Lyndon Johnson]’s wife, Lady Bird Johnson, had this road-building company. The Americans would go in and bomb all these roads [in Vietnam]. Then her company would go in and rebuild them and get the money. They weren’t saying all that in America. We wrote “War Pigs” because many American bands were frightened to mention anything about the war. So we thought we’d tell it like it is.</p>
<p><strong>In 1971, you released <em>Master of Reality</em>, which saw the band experimenting a bit more with tracks like “Solitude” and the acoustic instrumental “Orchid.” Tony, had you always played acoustic or did you pick it up around that time?</strong></p>
<p><strong>TONY IOMMI</strong> No, I never played acoustic that much at all really. I don’t even remember where we did that track, to be honest. I think the idea on the album was to have a bit of light and shade and relax it from the heavier stuff.</p>
<p><strong>Speaking of heavier stuff, what were you coughing on during that intro to “Sweet Leaf”?</strong></p>
<p><strong>IOMMI</strong> [laughs] I choked me bloody self! It wasn’t intended to happen, and it wasn’t supposed to be on the track. We were in the studio tracking that song, and Ozzy gave me a joint and I nearly choked myself. The tape was on, so of course they wanted to use it to begin the track.</p>
<p><strong>BUTLER</strong> You couldn’t have gotten anything more appropriate for a song called “Sweet Leaf.” [laughs]</p>
<p><strong>That’s the truth. But the title “Sweet Leaf” was actually inspired by a different type of smoke, right?</strong></p>
<p><strong>BUTLER</strong> Yeah the name “Sweet Leaf” came from the [Irish brand of] cigarettes called Sweet Afton. I’d just come back from Dublin. Everyone smoked back then, so I’d be offering them all cigarettes. You’d open the top of the package and it said something like, “It’s the sweet leaf.” I thought, Hmmm, That’s a good title.</p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="365" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IIoVoOfBHW0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><strong>The following year, Sabbath headed to Los Angeles’ Record Plant Studios to track <em>Vol. 4</em>, on which you broke new ground with “Changes.” It’s a piano ballad, and the lyrics are quite touching, which makes it a very unusual track for Sabbath.</strong></p>
<p><strong>IOMMI</strong> It was a sad track as well. We were staying in this house and there was a ballroom with a piano in it. It was back in the days of doing a bit of blow and staying up late. And I just started playing and coming up with this idea. We had a Mellotron and Geez started to play the orchestrations. It fit well and came about pretty quickly, considering we’d never done anything like that before.</p>
<p><em>Photo: Ross Halfin</em></p>
<p><strong><em>This is an excerpt from the all-new March 2015 issue of <em>Guitar World</em>, which features an interview with Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. For the rest of this interview, plus our guide to the 30 greatest classic Black Sabbath songs, plus gear views, tabs, lessons and more, <a href="http://guitarworld.myshopify.com/collections/guitar-world/products/guitar-world-march-15-black-sabbath?&amp;utm_source=gw_homepage&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=SabbathExcerpt">check out the March 2015 issue of GW at the Guitar World Online Store.</a></em></strong></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/Screen%20Shot%202015-01-29%20at%2010.15.18%20AM_0.png" width="620" height="812" alt="Screen Shot 2015-01-29 at 10.15.18 AM_0.png" /></p>
<fieldset class="fieldgroup group-additional-content"><legend>Additional Content</legend><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-related-artist">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Related Artist:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<a href="/tony-iommi">Tony Iommi</a> </div>
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<a href="/black-sabbath">Black Sabbath</a> </div>
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</fieldset>
http://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbaths-geezer-butler-and-tony-iommi-fighting-skinheads-and-war-pigs-inspiration#commentsBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerMarch 2015Tony IommiInterviewsNewsFeaturesMagazineThu, 19 Feb 2015 21:42:23 +0000Brad Anglehttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/23391Black Sabbath Bassist Geezer Butler Arrested for Assault and Vandalism in Californiahttp://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-bassist-geezer-butler-arrested-assault-and-vandalism-california
<!--paging_filter--><p>Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler was arrested Tuesday night after getting into a bar brawl in California's Death Valley National Park, according to a police statement. </p>
<p>Officers from the Inyo County Sheriff's Office arrested the 65-year-old bassist for misdemeanor assault, public intoxication and vandalism. The altercation took place at the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/corkscrew-saloon-death-valley">Corkscrew Saloon in Furnace Creek Ranch.</a></p>
<p>"After the Inyo County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived on scene and interviewed witnesses, it was determined that there had been an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation, resulting in an individual being struck and a broken window," Inyo County police said in a statement.</p>
<p>Butler was booked into the county jail and was later released after "detox and citation."</p>
<p>According to <em>Rolling Stone,</em> a representative for Butler wasn't immediately available for comment.</p>
<p><strong>Butler and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi appear on the cover of the new March 2015 issue of <em>Guitar World</em> magazine, <a href="http://guitarworld.myshopify.com/collections/guitar-world/products/guitar-world-march-15-black-sabbath">which is already available at the Guitar World Online Store.</a></strong></p>
<p>Last year, Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne said the band hoped to begin writing sessions for a new album around this time and promised at least one more set of live dates. "We're going to do one more album and a final tour," he told <em>Metal Hammer.</em> "I said [to my wife], 'Sharon, I ain't fucking 21 anymore. If we're going to do [it], I want to do it before I'm 70. Time isn't on our side.'"</p>
<p>Stay tuned for more info!</p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/Screen%20Shot%202015-01-29%20at%2010.15.18%20AM.png" width="620" height="812" alt="Screen Shot 2015-01-29 at 10.15.18 AM.png" /></p>
<fieldset class="fieldgroup group-additional-content"><legend>Additional Content</legend><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-related-artist">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Related Artist:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<a href="/black-sabbath">Black Sabbath</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-bassist-geezer-butler-arrested-assault-and-vandalism-california#commentsBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerNewsThu, 29 Jan 2015 15:17:16 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/23386NAMM 2014: EMG Announces Geezer Butler Signature Bass Pickups, GZR-P and GZR-PJ — with Videohttp://www.guitarworld.com/namm-2014-emg-announces-geezer-butler-signature-bass-pickups-gzr-p-and-gzr-pj-video
<!--paging_filter--><p>EMG has announced its new Geezer Butler signature pickups, the EMG GZR-P and EMG GZR-PJ. </p>
<p>In the video below, you can hear Butler discuss how he dials in his classic Black Sabbath tones and more.</p>
<p>The pickups, which will be released soon (Remember, the NAMM Show is next week!), are available for pre-order at <a href="http://www.emgpickups.com/bass/signature-sets-bass.html">emgpickups.com.</a></p>
<p>For more about EMG, follow the company on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emgpickups">Facebook</a> — and be on the lookout for news from the 2014 Winter NAMM Show!</p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="365" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DcKRho-h2_c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
http://www.guitarworld.com/namm-2014-emg-announces-geezer-butler-signature-bass-pickups-gzr-p-and-gzr-pj-video#commentsEMGGeezer ButlerNAMM 2014AccessoriesVideosBass GuitarsNewsGearFri, 17 Jan 2014 15:42:54 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/20223Video: Geezer Butler, Zakk Wylde, Corey Taylor and Charlie Benante Perform Black Sabbath's "Fairies Wear Boots"http://www.guitarworld.com/video-geezer-butler-zakk-wylde-corey-taylor-and-charlie-benante-perform-black-sabbaths-fairies-wear-boots
<!--paging_filter--><p>Below, check out a pro-shot clip of Geezer Butler, Zakk Wylde, Anthrax's Charlie Benante and Slipknot's Corey Taylor performing Black Sabbath's "Fairies Wear Boots" at this month's Bass Player Live! event in Los Angeles.</p>
<p>The event was presented by Hartke, and the video was posted on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/samsontech?feature=watch">Samson/Hartke's YouTube page.</a></p>
<p>Be sure to tell us what you think in the comments or on Facebook!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.guitarworld.com/video-zakk-wylde-jason-newsted-and-corey-taylor-perform-black-sabbaths-war-pigs-bass-player-live">Head here to watch Wylde, Jason Newsted and Taylor perform Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" at Bass Player Live!</a></p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="365" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kH26avpeOjk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
http://www.guitarworld.com/video-geezer-butler-zakk-wylde-corey-taylor-and-charlie-benante-perform-black-sabbaths-fairies-wear-boots#commentsBass Player LiveBlack SabbathCorey TaylorGeezer ButlerZakk WyldeNewsTue, 26 Nov 2013 15:36:35 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/19863Jason Newsted, Mike Dirnt, Chris Broderick, Jim Norton and Sebastian Bach Added to Bass Player LIVE! Lineuphttp://www.guitarworld.com/jason-newsted-mike-dirnt-chris-broderick-jim-norton-and-sebastian-bach-added-bass-player-live-lineup
<!--paging_filter--><p>The celebrity guest lineup for the November 9 Bass Player LIVE! Concert &amp; Awards Show presented by Hartke has been expanded. </p>
<p>The all-star concert will take place at the historic Fonda Theatre and will honor heavy metal legend, Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler, rockabilly bass legend Lee Rocker and the late American blues musician and songwriter Willie Dixon, while jazz-rock phenom Tal Wilkenfeld will be presented with the “Young Gun” award.</p>
<p>The Bass Player LIVE! Concert &amp; Awards Show will be hosted by Jim Norton (comedian/actor/radio host/<em>New York Times</em> best-selling author). The evening will feature an all-star band of rock luminaries performing Black Sabbath songs as a tribute to Geezer Butler. The performance will culminate with Geezer joining the band for the finale.</p>
<p>Musicians participating in the Geezer Butler tribute include Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society) on guitar and lead vocals, Charlie Benante (Anthrax) on drums, Corey Taylor (Stone Sour, Slipknot) and Sebastian Bach on lead vocals, along with guest bassists including: Billy Sheehan (the Winery Dogs, David Lee Roth), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Jason Newsted (Newsted), Rex Brown (Kill Devil Hill, Pantera). Green Day’s Mike Dirnt has also been added to the show as an award presenter.</p>
<p>“Terry “Geezer” Butler is my No. 1 influence and greatest teacher of electric bass in heavy metal music,” says Jason Newsted. “All true metal bassists look up to Geezer as a pioneer and godfather of our chosen instrument. The best, ever.”</p>
<p>Host Jim Norton says, "Lee Rocker actually made the standup bass look cool and Geezer Butler is simply the most underrated bassist and lyricist of all time."</p>
<p>Bass Player LIVE! Concert &amp; Awards Show will also feature performances from Lee Rocker (Stray Cats), Tal Wilkenfeld and a very special Willie Dixon tribute organized by — and featuring — the Rolling Stones’ bassist/collaborator Darryl Jones.</p>
<p>For the past three years, <em>Bass Player</em> has paid tribute to bass giants who have gone before us, dedicating posthumous Lifetime Achievement Awards to James Jamerson in 2011 and Jaco Pastorius in 2012. This year will honor the memory of Willie Dixon, a founding father of Chicago blues and a prolific composer who wrote songs made famous by such bands as Cream, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Darryl Jones will present the award to Dixon’s family on behalf of Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, an organization devoted to promoting the blues tradition in Chicago area schools and beyond, before leading an all-star band through a powerful medley of Dixon compositions.</p>
<p>Doors for The Fonda Theatre open 6:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9. The concert begins 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>The Bass Player LIVE! musician clinics and exhibitors will be at S.I.R. Studios on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood Saturday, November 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bass players of all ages, levels and styles are invited to attend.</p>
<p>The stylistically diverse slate of clinics includes <em>Tonight Show/American Idol</em> bassist/musical director Rickey Minor; John Mayer and session bassist Sean Hurley; session legends Jerry Jemmott, Nathan East, “Ready” Freddie Washington and Bob Glaub; jazz heavies Michael Manring, Hadrien Feraud, Janek Gwizdala and Adam Nitti; Stevie Wonder bassman Nate Watts; and Prince and Jeff Beck bass lass Rhonda Smith.</p>
<p>The Bass Player LIVE! daytime activities at S.I.R. also will feature various artist signings, including David Ellefson’s <em>My Life With Deth</em> book signing at 11:30 a.m. November 9, directly after his clinic with Frank Bello. Books will be sold just outside the clinic (held in Room A) and the signing will take place at the Hartke booth.</p>
<p>The full itinerary of clinics and list of exhibitors can be found <a href="http://www.bassplayer.com/artistspeakerclinics.aspx">HERE.</a></p>
<p>Tickets are on sale now at <a href="http://bassplayer.com/bplive">bassplayer.com</a>. Weekend package tickets that include the concert and awards show along with all clinics and exhibits are available for $90. Tickets for the Bass Player LIVE! Concert &amp; Awards Show can also be purchased separately as follows:</p>
<p><strong>Day Pass for Saturday OR Sunday</strong> - $37.50<br />
<strong>Day Pass for Saturday AND Sunday</strong> - $52.50<br />
<strong>Bass Player LIVE Concert general admission</strong> - $42.50<br />
<strong>Bass Player LIVE Concert balcony seat</strong> - $45<br />
<strong>All Inclusive Day Pass for both Saturday and Sunday, plus a general admission concert ticket</strong> - $90</p>
<p>Note: Each Day Pass purchase includes a complimentary subscription to <em>Bass Player</em>.</p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/geezer630_0.jpg" width="620" height="304" alt="geezer630_0.jpg" /></p>
http://www.guitarworld.com/jason-newsted-mike-dirnt-chris-broderick-jim-norton-and-sebastian-bach-added-bass-player-live-lineup#commentsGeezer ButlerTal WilkenfeldNewsThu, 24 Oct 2013 18:52:01 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/19437Bass Player Live! 2013 to Honor Geezer Butler, Lee Rocker and Tal Wilkenfeldhttp://www.guitarworld.com/bass-player-live-2013-honor-geezer-butler-lee-rocker-and-tal-wilkenfeld
<!--paging_filter--><p>Bass Player Live! 2013, an all-star concert and more, will take place November 9 and 10 in Hollywood, California. </p>
<p>The annual event will feature bass clinics and exhibitors and will be highlighted by the November 9 Bass Player LIVE! Concert &amp; Awards Show, which is presented by Hartke.</p>
<p>The concert, which will take place at the Fonda Theatre, will honor a true heavy metal legend, Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler. Also among the honorees are rockabilly bass legend Lee Rocker of Stray Cays and jazz-rock phenom Tal Wilkenfeld (Jeff Beck), who will be presented with the “Young Gun” award. </p>
<p>The concert and awards show will be hosted by Jim Norton (comedian/actor/radio host/<em>New York Times</em> best-selling author).</p>
<p>"Lee Rocker actually made the standup bass look cool," Norton says. "Geezer Butler is simply the most underrated bassist and lyricist of all time."</p>
<p>Musicians participating in the Butler tribute include Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society), Charlie Benante (Anthrax) and Corey Taylor (Stone Sour, Slipknot), along with guest bassists including Billy Sheehan (the Winery Dogs, David Lee Roth), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Jason Newsted (Newsted) and Rex Brown (Kill Devil Hill, Pantera). More names will be added soon!</p>
<p>“Terry 'Geezer' Butler is my No. 1 influence and greatest teacher of electric bass in heavy metal music,” Newsted says. “All true metal bassists look up to Geezer as a pioneer and godfather of our chosen instrument. The best, ever.”</p>
<p>Tickets are available at <a href="http://bassplayer.com/live">bassplayerlive.com</a>. Weekend package tickets that include the concert and awards show along with all clinics and exhibits cost $90. Tickets for the Bass Player LIVE! concert and awards show also can be purchased separately as follows:</p>
<p><strong>Day Pass for Saturday OR Sunday:</strong> $37.50<br />
<strong>Day Pass for Saturday AND Sunday:</strong> $52.50<br />
<strong>Bass Player LIVE Concert general admission:</strong> $42.50<br />
<strong>Bass Player LIVE Concert balcony seat:</strong> $45<br />
<strong>All-Inclusive Day Pass for Saturday and Sunday, plus general admission concert ticket</strong>: $90</p>
<p>NOTE: Each day pass purchase includes a complimentary subscription to <em>Bass Player</em> magazine.</p>
<p>The Bass Player LIVE! clinics and exhibitors will take place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, at S.I.R. Studios on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Bass players of all ages, levels and styles are invited. Doors for the Fonda Theatre open 6:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9. The concert begins 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>“Bass Player LIVE! is the biggest and baddest bass event of the year,” says <em>Bass Player</em> editor Brian Fox. “This year’s lineup is our heaviest yet. When it comes to hard rock bass playing, Butler wrote the book. That he continues to perform with every bit the raw intensity of his early days in Black Sabbath is an inspiration for players of all ages and all styles. With the Stray Cats, Lee Rocker took the upright bass — already one of the coolest instruments ever—and somehow made it even more hip, slapping the snot out of it to codify the sound of rockabilly bass. </p>
<p>"Tal Wilkenfeld personifies the bright future of rock bass. From her work with Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock and Joe Walsh to her fleet-fingered solo work, Tal’s refreshing fusion of jazz, soul, funk and rock is something we’ve had our ears and eyes on for a long time. We’re thrilled and honored to have these three artists anchor an evening of amazing performances.”</p>
<p><strong>The daily schedule of clinics and panels is as follows (subject to change):</strong></p>
<p><strong>Saturday, November 9</strong><br />
10:30-11:30 AM<br />
Room A: David Ellefson (Megadeth) &amp; Frank Bello (Anthrax)<br />
Room B: Carlos Del Puerto, Jr. (Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Chris Botti)</p>
<p>12:30-1:30 PM<br />
Room A: Lee Rocker (with guest guitarist Buzz Campbell)<br />
Room B: Billy Sheehan (Winery Dogs, solo artist)</p>
<p>2:30-3:30 PM<br />
Room A: Michael Manring (solo artist)<br />
Room B: Rhonda Smith (Prince, Jeff Beck)</p>
<p>4:30-5:30 PM<br />
Room A: The Changing Face of L.A. Session Bass<br />
Room B: Janek Gwizdala (solo artist, Randy Brecker)</p>
<p><strong>Sunday, November 10</strong><br />
11:00 AM-Noon<br />
Room A: Nathan East (Toto, Fourplay, Eric Clapton)<br />
Room B: Adam Nitti (Solo Artist)</p>
<p>12:45-1:45 PM<br />
Room A: Jerry Jemmott (Gregg Allman, Aretha Franklin)<br />
Room B: Working Bassist Panel with Rickey Minor (Tonight Show)</p>
<p>2:15-3:15PM<br />
Room A: Conversation Series Hosted by Hartke with Rex Brown (Kill Devil Hill, Pantera), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, David Lee Roth), David Ellefson (Megadeath) &amp; Frank Bello (Anthrax)<br />
Room B: Artists to be Announced</p>
<p>4:00-5:00PM<br />
Room A: Nate Watts (Stevie Wonder)<br />
Room B: Hadrien Feraud</p>
<p>The full itinerary of clinics and list of exhibitors can be found at <a href="http://www.bassplayer.com/artistspeakerclinics.aspx">bassplayer.com</a>.</p>
<p>Additional musicians expected to attend Bass Player LIVE! include Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction), Jason Newsted (Metallica), Chris Broderick (Megadeth), Brian Bromberg (Solo artist), Juan Alderete (The Mars Volta), Scott Reader (Kyuss), Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon), Sean Hurley (John Mayer), Tim Lefebvre (Rudder), Phil Chen (The Doors), Ready Freddie Washington (Steely Dan), Damian Erskine (Gino Vanelli), Jimmy Earl (The Jimmy Kimmel Show), Mike Merritt (The Conan O'Brien Show), Brandino (Robbie Krieger), Ariane Cap (Lara Price), Igor Saavedra (Solo Artist), Jeff Hughell (Six feet Under), Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem), Alphonso Johnson (Solo Artist, Jazz Legend), Bob Glaub (Studio Great), Bunny Brunel (Solo Artist), Jerry Watts (LAMA, Session Bassist), Oskar Cartaya (J-Lo, Solo Artist), Alex Al (Arsenio Hall), Lance Morrison (Volto!), Brandino (Robbie Krieger), Jim Norton (Comedian), Dug Pinnick (King's X, Tres Mts.), Blasko (Ozzy Osborne), Evan Brewer (The Faceless), J.D. DeServio (Black Label Society), Bubby Lewis (Lupe Fiasco, Snoop Dogg), Norm Stockton (Bobby Kimball) and Rudy Sarzo (Whitesnake, Quiet Riot).</p>
<p>The latest list of guest musicians can be found at <a href="http://www.bassplayer.com/artistspeakerclinics.aspx">bassplayer.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For more about <em>Bass Player</em>, visit <a href="http://www.bassplayer.com/">bassplayerlive.com</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bassplayermag">facebook.com/bassplayermag</a>.</strong></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/geezer630.jpg" width="620" height="304" alt="geezer630.jpg" /></p>
http://www.guitarworld.com/bass-player-live-2013-honor-geezer-butler-lee-rocker-and-tal-wilkenfeld#commentsGeezer ButlerLee RockerTal WilkenfeldNewsWed, 02 Oct 2013 20:47:59 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/19056Black Sabbath Reveal Full Track Listing for New Album, '13'http://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-reveal-full-track-listing-new-album-13
<!--paging_filter--><p>The album artwork and track listing for <em>13</em> — Black Sabbath's first new studio album with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978's <em>Never Say Die!</em> — have officially been revealed. </p>
<p>In classic Black Sabbath fashion, the highly anticipated album, which is due out June 11, features eight songs and clocks in at just under 60 minutes.</p>
<p>For the recording of <em>13</em>, Black Sabbath — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler — were joined by drummer Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine). The album, which was produced by Rick Rubin, will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in the US.</p>
<p><strong><em>13</em> track listing:</strong></p>
<p>01. End Of The Beginning (8:07)<br />
02. God Is Dead? (8:54)<br />
03. Loner (5:06)<br />
04. Zeitgeist (4:28)<br />
05. Age Of Reason (7:02)<br />
06. Live Forever (4:49)<br />
07. Damaged Soul (7:43)<br />
08. Dear Father (7:06)</p>
<p>For frequent Black Sabbath updates (including behind-the-scenes studio photos), check out the band's official <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath?fref=ts">Facebook page.</a></p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="370" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d4p86ALnIzo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/13.jpg" width="620" height="620" alt="13.jpg" /></p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-reveal-full-track-listing-new-album-13#commentsBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerOzzy OsbourneTony IommiNewsFri, 12 Apr 2013 21:48:41 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/18156Exclusive Interview: Black Sabbath Discuss New Album, '13'http://www.guitarworld.com/exclusive-interview-black-sabbath-discuss-new-album-13
<!--paging_filter--><p>“It's been 30 years since we last recorded an album together. It’s a huge fucking deal,” says Ozzy Osbourne, in reference to Black Sabbath’s new studio album, <em>13</em>, which is scheduled for release in June. </p>
<p>Ozzy and bassist Geezer Butler are holding court in a dark, wood-paneled library inside the Osbourne estate, a grand, modern home perched atop a hill in the outskirts of Los Angeles County that overlooks valleys of luxurious ranch houses and thoroughbred horses.</p>
<p><em>Guitar World</em> is here, sitting on a plush, blue velvet couch (beneath a gold, bat-adorned chandelier, of course) and listening to a preview of <em>13</em>. Missing from this meeting is guitarist Tony Iommi, who is back home in England undergoing the final round of treatment for lymphoma. </p>
<p>“I spoke to him this morning,” Osbourne says. “He’s havingan infusion. He’s like, ‘I feel a bit tired.’ I’m like, ‘A bit tired?’ Fucking hell. He’s my hero. If I was diagnosed, I’d say, ‘You can kiss my fucking ass goodbye. I’m gonna go get myself well.’ ”</p>
<p>Iommi has long been known as a formidable force in heavy metal, but the guitarist’s iron man–like status has risen to legendary proportions during this process. In early 2012, when he received his diagnosis, Black Sabbath were midway through writing new material for <em>13</em>. Production stopped while Iommi began chemotherapy, but it wasn’t long before he requested the band move operations from L.A. to England so he could work on material between treatment sessions.</p>
<p>“Tony’s the kind of bloke that doesn’t want to let us down,” Butler says. “He wouldn’t let his illness interfere with this album. He wanted to get it done.”</p>
<p>Iommi’s illness was not the only setback to befall Black Sabbath during the creation of <em>13</em>. Despite spending a year writing with the band, drummer Bill Ward declined to move forward with recording, due to contractual disagreements. </p>
<p>“We’d have loved to have Bill on the album,” Butler says. “But suddenly something came up. I went to Hawaii when Tony started his treatment, and when I came back Bill wasn’t in the band anymore.”</p>
<p>Upon producer Rick Rubin’s suggestion, Sabbath tapped an unexpected source to handle tracking drums: Rage Against the Machine’s Brad Wilk. The band was skeptical at first, but Wilk proved up to the task. “I was really surprised,” Butler says. “He had that Bill Ward kind of jazzy swing feel, rather than heavy metal bashing.”</p>
<p>With Wilk in place and Iommi working around his treatment sessions, the band finally began laying down tracks at Rubin’s studio in California. Sabbath recorded 16 songs, which will get cut to nine or 10 for the final release. Among these are three seven-plus-minute behemoths — “End of the Beginning,” “God Is Dead” and “Epic” — which abound with all the godlike riffs, sinister grooves and apocalyptic choruses you’d expect from the fathers of heavy metal. The group also tackles some fittingly dark topics on <em>13</em>, such as killing pedophile priests (“Dear Father”) and the scourge of methamphetamine addiction (“Methademic”).</p>
<p>Now with <em>13</em> completed and Iommi on the mend, the band will soon start gearing up for a short spring tour across Australia and Japan. But for the moment, Butler and Osbourne are simply enjoying the fact that they’ve come out on the other side of <em>13</em> relatively unscathed, especially in comparison to Ozzy’s previous, less-than-stellar outing with the band, 1978’s <em>Never Say Die!</em></p>
<p>“This was a million times better than that last album,” Butler says with a laugh, “where everyone was coked out of their brains!”</p>
<p>Adds Osbourne, “<em>Never Say Die!</em> should have been called, ‘We Should Be Fucking Dead!’ ”</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/exclusive-interview-black-sabbath-discuss-new-album-13#commentsApril 2013Black SabbathGeezer ButlerOzzy OsbourneInterviewsNewsFeaturesMagazineTue, 19 Mar 2013 14:46:56 +0000Brad Anglehttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/18016Video: Black Sabbath Post Second Behind-the-Scenes Look at New Album, '13'http://www.guitarworld.com/video-black-sabbath-post-second-behind-scenes-look-new-album-13
<!--paging_filter--><p>As the June 11 release date of Black Sabbath's new album, <em>13</em>, gets closer, the band has released a second Jack Osbourne-directed clip of the gang at work in the studio. Be sure to check it out below.</p>
<p>Starting today, <me>13 is available for pre-order on a variety of formats via <a href="http://www.blacksabbath.com/">blacksabbath.com</a>. Options include: </me></p>
<p>• Standard CD<br />
• Deluxe double CD album in a deluxe soft-pack (includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio material)<br />
• Vinyl: a 12” heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve<br />
• Super Deluxe Box Set: Limited edition 12” clamshell box set which contains: Deluxe double CD album, 12” heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve, Exclusive DVD containing “Black Sabbath — The Re-union” documentary, plus 5 behind-the-scenes videos, Download card containing exclusive track by track interview with Black Sabbath, 13 exclusive photographic prints and hand written album lyrics.</p>
<p>Anyone who pre-orders any of these formats via <a href="http://www.blacksabbath.com/">blacksabbath.com</a> will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of VIP tickets to an official <em>13</em> album launch event in London, including a meet-and-greet with the band, flights and accommodations. Additional details and terms and conditions on the contest can be found at <a href="http://www.blacksabbath.com/">blacksabbath.com</a>.</p>
<p><em>13</em> was recorded primarily in Los Angeles and features Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass), who were joined by drummer Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine). Produced by Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year), the album will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in the US.</p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p6h6bUVZbDo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><strong>BLACK SABBATH’s overseas dates:</strong></p>
<p>Sat 4/20 Auckland, New Zealand Vector Arena<br />
Mon 4/22 Auckland, New Zealand Vector Arena<br />
Thu 4/25 Brisbane, Australia Entertainment Centre<br />
Sat 4/27 Sydney, Australia All Phones Arena<br />
Mon 4/29 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena<br />
Wed 5/1 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena<br />
Sat 5/4 Perth, Australia Perth Arena<br />
Tues 5/7 Adelaide, Australia Adelaide Entertainment Center<br />
Sun 5/12 Tokyo, Japan Ozzfest - Makuhari Messe</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/video-black-sabbath-post-second-behind-scenes-look-new-album-13#commentsBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerOzzy OsbourneTony IommiVideosNewsWed, 13 Mar 2013 16:47:51 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/17992Video: An Inside Look at Black Sabbath in the Studiohttp://www.guitarworld.com/video-inside-look-black-sabbath-studio
<!--paging_filter--><p>Black Sabbath have posted a new video, as promised yesterday on their Facebook page, that gives fans an inside look at the band at work in the recording studio.</p>
<p>The three-minute video shows Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne — along with Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave drummer Brad Wilk and producer Rick Rubin — discussing and rehearsing tracks will wind up on <em>13</em>, the band's much-anticipated new album. The video also shows some of the gear the guys are using, including Marshall and Laney amps.</p>
<p>"I want it to sound current but still have that Sabbath vibe," Osbourne says.</p>
<p>"It'll be today's version of what it was 40 years ago," Iommi adds.</p>
<p>Fans can decide for themselves when the album is released in June. Check out the video below. More updates are on the way!</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/video-inside-look-black-sabbath-studio#commentsBlack SabbathBrad WilkGeezer ButlerOzzy OsbourneTony IommiNewsWed, 13 Feb 2013 16:24:27 +0000Damian Fanellihttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/17786Geezer Butler: Black Sabbath Plan to Tour US in July and Augusthttp://www.guitarworld.com/geezer-butler-black-sabbath-plan-tour-us-july-and-august
<!--paging_filter--><p>In a recently posted video from last month's 2013 Winter NAMM Show, <em>That Metal Show</em> co-host Eddie Trunk — who also roasted Dee Snider at <em>Guitar World's</em> Rock &amp; Roll Roast — interviewed Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler at the Samson/Zoom/Hartke booth.</p>
<p>During the interview, which you can watch below, Butler shows off his new Lakland signature bass and updates the universe on Black Sabbath's plans for 2013:</p>
<p>"We've finished recording [the new album], Tony [Iommi]'s back in England putting down a couple of solos, then we start mixing it in February, and it'll be out in June," says Butler, who adds that Iommi is in good health and "doing quite well."</p>
<p>On the topic of touring: "We start at the end of April in New Zealand, then we go to Australia, then Japan. June, we'll be promoting the album, then July and August [is] USA. Then October is South America and Europe in November and December."</p>
<p><em>Guitar World</em> recently got to preview the new Black Sabbath album with Osbourne and Butler in California, so look for more news and updates in <em>Guitar World</em> and on GuitarWorld.com.</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/geezer-butler-black-sabbath-plan-tour-us-july-and-august#commentsBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerNAMM 2013NewsFri, 08 Feb 2013 15:36:18 +0000Damian Fanellihttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/17755Black Sabbath Post Studio Updates and Video Detailing New Vinyl Box Sethttp://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-post-studio-updates-and-video-detailing-new-vinyl-box-set
<!--paging_filter--><p>For the past few days, Black Sabbath have been posting regular studio updates on their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath?fref=ts">Facebook page</a>, keeping fans in the know as they record their new album.</p>
<p>The latest update, posted Monday, confirmed that guitarist Tony Iommi was tracking more guitar parts (Check out the photo below). Before that, we found out bassist Geezer Butler was hard at work on the album.</p>
<p>"We've written the 15 songs and we've played them all, but now at the moment we're recording them," Iommi recently told Blairing Out. "We're about six tracks in now at the moment."</p>
<p>Drummer Bill Ward isn't a part of the Black Sabbath sessions, and Iommi doesn't foresee Ward rejoining the group. "We'll always have a heart for Bill, but I think it's gone past that now, because it's gone on so long, that I don't see that happening at the moment." </p>
<p>The new Black Sabbath album is expected to be released in April 2013.</p>
<p>Here are two photos from the band's Facebook page. The top photo is Iommi's set-up; below that is Butler's:</p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/tony.jpg" width="614" height="408" alt="tony.jpg" /></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/geezer.jpg" width="614" height="408" alt="geezer.jpg" /></p>
<p>Meanwhile, the band is working on the release of <em>The Vinyl Collection: 1970-1978</em>, which includes remastered vinyl versions of nine studio albums, 7-inch singles, a hardback book with original tour programmes, a download voucher and more. The box set will be released December 12.</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-post-studio-updates-and-video-detailing-new-vinyl-box-set#commentsBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerOzzy OsbourneTony IommiVideosNewsWed, 21 Nov 2012 01:36:26 +0000Damian Fanellihttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/17204Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler Posts Tribute to Deep Purple Keyboardist Jon Lordhttp://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbaths-geezer-butler-posts-tribute-deep-purple-keyboardist-jon-lord
<!--paging_filter--><p>Black Sabbath bassist Terry "Geezer" Butler, who turns 63 today, posted a message online paying tribute to founding Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord, who died yesterday, July 16, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. </p>
<p>Butler wrote:</p>
<p>"Very sad to hear of Jon’s death, following his battle with the demon cancer. One of the great musicians of my generation. (Black Sabbath guitarist) Tony Iommi recently worked with Jon, and said what a lovely bloke he was. </p>
<p>"I met him a few times, but never got to work with him. Blessings."</p>
<p>Lord was diagnosed with cancer last year. He recorded with Iommi and Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan last year as part of the WhoCares supergroup.</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbaths-geezer-butler-posts-tribute-deep-purple-keyboardist-jon-lord#commentsBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerJon LordNewsTue, 17 Jul 2012 15:39:31 +0000Damian Fanellihttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/16298Black Sabbath Bassist Geezer Butler Issues Statement Ahead of Band's "Homecoming" Showhttp://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-bassist-geezer-butler-issues-statement-ahead-bands-homecoming-show
<!--paging_filter--><p>Tomorrow, three quarters of the classic Black Sabbath lineup — Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi — will perform together in Birmingham, England, aa a homecoming show and a warm-up gig for their upcoming headlining performance at Download Festival.</p>
<p>While there's still no word on who will be manning the drums for Sabbath (It looks like we'll find out tomorrow), bassist Geezer Butler has issued an update via his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gzrmusic">official Facebook page</a>. It reads:</p>
<p>"Well, rehearsals are finally finished, and now for the nervous part, playing our home town gig. Since it is a warm up show, there will probably be a few glitches , but remember it’s all in a good cause, since we’ll be donating to the 'Help For Heroes' charity, a fantastic charity that helps our troops who have been wounded in recent wars. No matter what your feelings about the wars are, these men and women willingly dedicate their lives for our defence and freedom. I hope the people who are making profits by re-selling the tickets to real fans find it in their hearts to do the right thing and donate at least some of their gains to the charity. Here is their Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/HelpforHeroes">http://www.facebook.com/HelpforHeroes</a></p>
<p>"Thanks for caring.<br />
Geezer"</p>
<p>Earlier this week, it was announced that original Bill Ward would be sitting out Sabbath's scheduled live dates for 2012.</p>
<p>"It is with a very sad heart that I bring you this news," he said in a <a href="http://www.guitarworld.com/drummer-bill-ward-sit-out-upcoming-black-sabbath-shows">lengthy statement</a>. "I am sincerely passionate in my desire to play with the band, and I’m very, very sorry that it’s fallen to this. This statement is even more painstaking to write, as I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony Iommi after the recent treatments he underwent. I wanted that to become a reality."</p>
<p>Black Sabbath would not issue a direct response to Ward's statement, but merely announced that they would be moving forward with a "substitute drummer" in the interim.</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-bassist-geezer-butler-issues-statement-ahead-bands-homecoming-show#commentsBill WardBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerOzzy OsbourneTony IommiNewsFri, 18 May 2012 16:32:51 +0000Josh Harthttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/15779Black Sabbath Issue Statement on Drummer Situationhttp://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-issue-statement-drummer-situation
<!--paging_filter--><p>Earlier this week, drummer Bill Ward broke the news that he would not being joining Black Sabbath on their upcoming live dates, citing an inability to come to terms on a "signable" contract. (Read the statement <a href="http://www.guitarworld.com/drummer-bill-ward-sit-out-upcoming-black-sabbath-shows">here</a>.)</p>
<p>Black Sabbath have now issued a brief statement in response to the news. </p>
<p>It reads, "We have decided not to make any detailed comment on Bill's latest statement. There are two sides to every story. We have been working hard at rehearsals making excellent progress after Tony's treatments and we have engaged a substitute drummer for the forthcoming shows. See you at Download."</p>
<p>There is still no word on who the substitute drummer(s) will be.</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/black-sabbath-issue-statement-drummer-situation#commentsBill WardBlack SabbathGeezer ButlerOzzy OsbourneTony IommiNewsThu, 17 May 2012 21:20:41 +0000Josh Harthttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/15771